Sweet Potholder Pattern #9235

Starting at top, ch 17. 1st row: 3 d c in 4th ch from hook, d c in next 5 ch, in next ch make 3 d c, ch 2 and 3 d c; d c in next 6 ch, 3 d c in next ch. Ch 3, turn. 2nd row: 3 d c in 1st d c, d c in each d c to ch-2 sp, in sp make 2 d c, ch 2 and 2 d c; d c in each d c across to turning ch, 3 d c in top of turning ch. Ch 3, turn. Repeat this row 3 more times. 6th to 10th rows incl.: D c in each d c across, making 2 d c, ch 2 and 2 d c in ch-2 sp, and ending with d c in top of turning ch. Ch 3, turn. 11th to 17th rows incl.: Work as before, de­creasing 2 d c at both ends of each row—to dec. 2 d c, work off 2 d c as 1 d c twice. Do not make ch at end of 17th row. Turn. 18th row: Sl st in 1st 2 sts, s c in next 2 sts, half d c in next 2 sts, dec. 2 sts by working off 2 d c as 1 d c twice. Work across row, increasing at center as before to last 10 sts; then dec. 2 sts as before and work 2 half d c and 2 s c. Turn. 19th row: Same as 18th row. Fasten off. Make another piece same as this. Place padding between two crocheted pieces (for padding see patternbook page) and work as follows: